The Mount Vernon boys golf team got on the course three times last week, which is pretty amazing given how the weather has not been cooperating with high school golf.
“It’s been hard to work on things, to focus on getting better,” Mount Vernon coach John Rhomberg said. “But all of the guys are putting in a heck of a lot of effort.”
On Monday, April 13, the Mustangs lost a dual against Marion by one stroke (163 to 164) at Kernoustie Golf Course.
“We left 10 shots on the course, on our home course,” Rhomberg said. “Playing with their buddies in practice, everyone can shoot in the 30s. We need to clean it up for meets. We need to go from being able to do it, to doing it. Which is hard in golf.”
Then Tuesday, April 14, Mount Vernon placed sixth in the Golden Hawk Invitational at the Kalona Golf Course, and Thursday, April 16, placed fifth at the Tipton Invitational at the Tipton Golf and Country Club.
Junior Tommy Rhomberg was the low score for all three events, carding a 36 Monday, a 77 Tuesday and a 73 Thursday.
Coach Rhomberg was impressed by Kellen Haverback, who shot a 78 at Tipton.
“I saw him across the course, and he was walking with a spring in his step,” Rhomberg said. “He had a great meet.”
MARION (163) – Calvin Andresen 39, Asher Castenson 41, Tyler Tumilty 41, Jake Skogman 42, Mason Tumilty 42.
MOUNT VERNON (164) – Tommy Rhomberg 36, Kellen Haverback 41, Seth Rushford 42, Stratton Ellyson 45, Henrik Whitney 46, Maddox Thede 47.
Golden Hawk Invitational
Team scores – 1. Mid-Prairie 322; 2. West Branch 323; 3. Hillcrest Academy 327; 4. West Liberty 332; 5. Williamsburg 336; 6. Mount Vernon 338; 7. Mediapolis 360; 8. Louisa-Muscatine 373; 9. Durant 385; 10. Wilton inc.
Medalist – Rowan Miller (HA) 72.
MOUNT VERNON – Tommy Rhomberg 77, Seth Rushford 85, Stratton Ellyson 85, Kellen Haverback 91, Henrik Whitney 98, Maddox Thede 99.
Tipton Invitational
Team scores – 1. South Winneshiek 303; 2. Tipton 306; 3. West Branch 307; 4. Maquoketa 320; 5. Mount Vernon 326; 6. Northeast 328; 7. North Linn 340; 8. Monticello 341; 9. Durant 352; 10. Wilton 398; 11. North Cedar 457.
Medalists – McGavin Smith (WB) 70 and Hunter Daisy (T) 70.
MOUNT VERNON – Tommy Rhomberg 73, Kellen Haverback 78, Henrik Whitney 85, Stratton Ellyson 88, Seth Rushford 89, Maddox Thede 91.